The Kerala government has signalled a bold legal move, warning that it will approach the courts if the Governor or the President continues to keep state-passed Bills pending for what it calls “unreasonably long” periods.
The strong stance comes amid a prolonged standoff, with several key Bills — including those related to public welfare and administration — remaining stuck without clear action from the Raj Bhavan or the Centre. Officials say some have been held up for nearly two years, hampering the state’s legislative process.
Kerala argues that the Constitution’s mandate — requiring the Governor to act on Bills “as soon as possible” — is not being respected. The state maintains that indefinite delays not only disrupt governance but undermine the democratic authority of the elected Assembly.
The controversy intensified after the Supreme Court, while responding to a Presidential Reference, observed that only limited judicial review is possible when Bills are kept pending beyond a “reasonable time.” However, the Court did not define what this duration should be, leaving states to interpret the boundaries.
With this ambiguity, Kerala is preparing to outline clear timelines and take legal action if the impasse continues. The government insists that neither the Governor nor the President can withhold action indefinitely, and that constitutional checks must apply to all authorities.
